Monday, September 17, 2012

The October meeting's swap is for a small embroidery item. Embroidery is such a fun, peaceful and portable craft. There's something so satisfying about picking out thread colors and all that repetitive stitching. It's cheaper than therapy!

I've put together some inspiration and resources from around the internet in case you need some ideas for this month's swap. It can be anything from a pincusion, finished hoop, small pillow, ornament or mug rug....you name it!

These fruity segments are a great excuse to practice your satin stitch. Find this plus other free patterns on Polka and Bloom

Did anyone else have an obsession with unicorns in elementary school? Aimee Ray, the author of Doodle Stitching, has this free pattern over on her blog. You can also find a cute bicycle and birdcage pattern there, too.

Monday, September 10, 2012

This month we're focusing on MODERN! We've planned a fun and informative meeting busting with everything related to modern quilting.

Here's the plan....

Our Show'N'Tell time will go a little differently this month. We're asking for you to bring specific items. Please bring one or two quilty items that fall into one of these categories:

Applique – Quilt includes either machine or hand layering of fabric where the quilt’s focus is applique.

Handwork – Quilt includes at least one element of handwork including, but not limited to hand piecing, hand quilting, embroidery, redwork, cross stitch, crewel, etc. Hand stitched binding does not qualify as handwork.

Improvisation – Quilt is pieced improvisationally (without the use of a pattern or templates).

Minimalist Design –The design of the quilt expresses the principles of minimalism including one or more of the following traits, simplicity, clarity of focus, singleness, and use of large forms.

Use of Negative Space – Quilt design incorporates a significant use of negative space which organizes the composition of the quilt.

Piecing – Quilts that are machine pieced.

Modern Traditionalism – Quilt design incorporates the use of an identifiable traditional block pattern and modernizes it by applying design elements such as alternate grid work, asymmetry, color, scale, etc.

Be ready to share how/why your item fits into one (or two) of these modern categories.

After SNT, we're gonnatalk abouttheelements of modern quilting. This will be fun and informative and a time for learning and interaction. We're so excited about this part!

And then, after all the fun, we're gonna have a wrap-up at the end. This will be a quick conclusion to our meeting that will be an important part of our guild's mission and vision moving forward into the future.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at cincinnatimodernquiltguild {@} gmail . com

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Recently, our guild had the fortune of being invited to contribute works for an exhibit curated by Steven Vincent Clark at the Global Novations Art Gallery. Heather Jones wrote an excellent post about the exhibition on her blog Olive and Ollie, and she was kind enough to let us post it here as well. Thank you, Heather!

The Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild was invited to participate in an exhibition of selected works curated by Steven Vincent Clark at the Global Novations Art Gallery. The opening was a couple of weeks ago and I've finally got the chance to share some photos of it that I took with you.

Steven wrote a very lovely narrative to accompany the exhibition as well.

Quilt making, as we know it, was born of necessity. Patches and scraps of precious material were saved and stitched together in random or geometric patterns. When layers were joined together and filled with various materials to give added bulk and insulation against the cold, quilts became a staple in homes. Quilt making evolved into a skill learned and practiced by many in rural and poor communities through the country.

Today, the craft can, and often does, go far beyond its original intentions. While the larger finished pieces are still warm and comforting, many quilters have opted for a non-utilitarian role for their efforts. It's true that several of the pieces on exhibit could be used to cover a chair or your legs on a chilly evening but visually enjoyed mounted on a wall is the preferred usage.

For members of the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild, respecting the heritage of their craft while exploring new methods, designs and applications for what has become their art form, is what connects them as a group. One can experience this by simply studying a quilt created by one of the members. There are details that, when viewed up close, can be reminiscent of a quilt a hundred years old. However, when you back up and take in the entire work, it becomes clear it is a contemporary piece made by someone with far more in mind than simply keeping warm.

In essence what began as an almost life or death necessity has evolved, due in part to the industrialization and mass production of textiles, into an art form that can be viewed as an extravagance by some. However, to the members of the Guild and their many colleagues around the country and the world, one person's extravagance is another person's passion, life and commitment to keeping this craft/art form alive and thriving in all its many forms and usages.

I would like to thank all the members of the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild who participated in the exhibit and especially Heather Jones, the past president and founding member, whose help was invaluable in seeing the exhibit through to fruition. Thanks much.

Thank you very much to Steven Clark for all of his work though out the planning and execution of the exhibition. And thank you to everyone at the Global Novations Art Gallery, and to all of my colleagues in the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild who participated in this exhibition as well.

If you'd like to see the exhibition for yourself, it runs through November and is located at 11260 Chester Road, Suite 400, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246. The gallery is open to the public from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.